Resurgent running game bolsters Seminoles' attack

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Fourth-ranked Florida State appears to have fixed the problems with its running game — in a big way.

The Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) rank second in the ACC in rushing this season after finishing 10th last year. They've already matched last season's total of 20 rushing touchdowns in just four games.

"It's definitely a luxury," quarterback EJ Manuel said Monday. "That's the great thing about our offense, we're very diverse."

Senior Chris Thompson's comeback from a serious back injury and the emergence of sophomore James Wilder Jr. behind a rebuilt offensive line has created the possibility of the school having its first 1,000-yard rusher since Warrick Dunn achieved it in three straight seasons between 1994 and 1996.

South Florida (2-2) gets its shot Saturday at slowing down the Seminoles, who are averaging 56.2 points a game as they prepare for their first road test this season.

The Seminoles stormed back from a two-touchdown deficit Saturday to defeat Clemson 49-37 with the offense putting up 667 yards with Wilder and Thompson having a hand in 256 of the yards.

The 6-2, 225-pound Wilder's ability to run over and carry tacklers reminds many of former Seminole star Greg Jones, who went on NFL stardom with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 5-8, 187-pound Thompson, who is similar to Dunn in some ways, doesn't shy from contact and combines breakaway speed and shiftiness that's produced five scoring runs of more than 70 yards in his career and a 10.8 per carry average this season.

Other developments

Eagles struggling: It's been a rough beginning to the Ellis Johnson era at Southern Mississippi.

The Golden Eagles have a 0-3 record for the first time since 1976 following double-digit losses to Nebraska, East Carolina and Western Kentucky.

And the problems are mounting. The top two quarterbacks are dealing with injuries, the defense has been atrocious and the schedule doesn't get any easier with No. 19 Louisville coming to Hattiesburg on Saturday.

For a proud program that's been to bowl games in 14 of the past 15 seasons — and finished 12-2 in 2011 — it is unfamiliar and sobering territory.

"I know everybody's ready to go jump off a bridge somewhere, but we can't do that," Southern Miss defensive coordinator Tommy West said. "We've got to look at ourselves in the mirror and try to get better every day."

Expectations were high for the 60-year-old Johnson when he took over the program in December following Larry Fedora's departure to North Carolina. The former South Carolina defensive coordinator inherited a roster with several talented players — including defensive lineman Jamie Collins and receiver Tracy Lampley.

But the transition hasn't been smooth.

Fedora was known for his innovative offensive playbook, while Johnson's expertise comes on defense.

So far, the veteran coach and offensive-minded roster have been a bad fit. The Golden Eagles have regressed offensively while the defense hasn't improved.

"When you're not performing well in so many different areas, you've got to start back at the head coach's feet," Johnson said.

Hamilton's 303 receiving yards was an SEC record and an FBS-high this season.

Shaw set a school record with 20 consecutive completions.

LSU end Sam Montgomery received defensive honors after recording 3.5 tackles for loss, including a safety, in LSU's 12-10 win over Auburn.

Return men Ace Sanders of South Carolina and Dustin Harris of Texas A&M are co-special teams players of the week. Sanders had 106 punt return yards and Harris set an SEC record with 246 punt return yards, including a 96-yard score.